Use of thiazolide compounds for the prevention and treatment of viral diseases, cancer and diseases caused by intracellular infections

Abstract

The invention provides for the use of pharmaceutical compositions comprising a thiazolide in the stimulation of the immune system in a subject in need thereof, thereby preventing and/or treating viral diseases, cancer and diseases caused by intracellular protozoan infections.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of inhibiting a replication of HIV comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a thiazolide compound, wherein the thiazolide compound is nitazoxanide, tizoxanide, a mixture nitazoxanide and tizoxanide, N-(5-chlorothiazol-2-yl)-2-hydroxybenzamide, or a salt, ester, or amide thereof. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the thiazolide compound is nitazoxanide, tizoxanide or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the thiazolide compound is administered orally. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the thiazolide compound is N-(5-chlorothiazol-2-yl)-2-hydroxybenzamide. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the thiazolide compound is administered in combination with a vaccine. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the thiazolide compound is administered in combination with an immunostimulant. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administering stimulates an immune response in subject. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administering stimulates T helper cell or CTL activity, TLR7 or TLR8 expression or type I interferon response in the subject. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein said administering induces an increase in at least one of 1) IFNγ and IL2-secreting CD4+ T cells, 2) CTL degranulation, 3) Fas-expressing CD8+ T cells, 4) TLR8-expressing monocytes, 5) IFNα, and IFNβ-mRNA expression, 6) mRNA specific for a type 1 IFN inducible gene and 7) mRNA specific for a gene involved in MHC class I presentation. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the HIV is HIV-1. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject does not have an immune deficiency. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject has an immune deficiency. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12  further comprising administering an antiretroviral drug to the subject before or simultaneously with said administering the thiazolide compound. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administering reduces a p24 concentration in the subject.